Can-opener.



No. 780,350. PATENTED JAN. 17, 1905. M. H. JOHNSTON. CAN OPENER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1904.

I Iiiiiillil fNl ENTOR l V/ T/VESSES:

Patented January 1'7, 1905.

PATENT OEEIcE.

MICHAEL HAYES JOHNSTON, OF GALESBURG, ILLINOIS.

, CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 780,350, dated January 17, 1905.

Application filed May 9, 1904. Serial No. 207,642.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MICHAEL HAYES J OHN- STON, a citizen of the United States, and a resi dent of Galesburg, Knox county, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers; and my preferred manner of carrying out the invention is set forth in the following full, clear, and exact description, terminating with claims particularly specifying the novelty.

This invention relates to can-openers; and the object of the same is to construct a device of this character which is adjustable in order to enable it to open cans of different sizes or to make different sizes of openings. This object I accomplish by the construction as sub stantially set forth below and illustrated in the drawings, wherein- Figure I is a plan view of this device in what I call its locked position. Fig. II is a bottom plan view with the parts adjusted so that one member stands about midway of the length of the other. Fig. III is a crosssection adjacent the locking member, the latter here being shown as a corkscrew and in this view illustrated as ready for use. Fig. IV is a side view with the parts as in Fig. I. Fig. V is a central longitudinal section showing the ball of the thumb and illustrating it as pressing downward on the locking member to hold the parts in their adjusted position.

This can-opener comprises two main members longitudinally adjustable one upon the other and a third element or lockingmember, which in the present case is shown as a corkscrew, although it is clear that it could be a simple bar useful solely for locking purposes or it could be some other member of a combination-tool without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The present tool combines in one implement two types, of can-opener. At one end is the horizontal type, so called because it stands in that position while operating. At the other end is the vertical type, so named for a like reason. The single adjustment of one member upon the other moves the fulcrum of each type of can-opener and simultaneously adjusts them both. The lock when in its usual place looks each type of can-opener in its normal or usual position ready for use upon cans as ordinarily found on the market, and the look when used to hold the parts after adjustment serves to hold them both, no matter which is in use.

The lower or blade member comprises a body 1, having a central slot or opening 2, a blade 3, projecting in the plane of its body from one end, and a blade 4 at the other end, which is similar in shape, but is bent downward at right angles to the body. The edges 5 of thelatter are bent upward and curled inward slightly, so as to form a channel for the complementary member.

The upper or fulcrum member comprises a body 10, having a long slot 11 therein and a bar 12 across this slot at about the center of its length. One end of this body is bent upward and outward and rounded on its nose to form the fulcrum 13 in the vertical canopener. The other end of this body is reduced in size and brought to a point 14, and this end bends downward and then outward from the plane of the body and forms the fulcrum or pivot in the horizontal can-opener. The body 10 is of such width that it fits closely but loosely under the curled-over edges of the lower member.

20 is the lock, which consists of a bar having an eye 21 embracing and pivoted on the cross-bar 12, above referred to. In the normal position of parts, as seen in Fig. I, this eye stands against one end of the slot 2, because it projects below the cross-bar slightly into the plane of the lower member, while the locking-bar is of just proper length, so that at this time'its other end rests against the other end of said slot. Such is the construction whether a straight locking-bar is used or one of some other shape, as the corkscrew shown in the drawings, and when the tool is grasped in the hand the thumb and forefinger will hold the free end of this locking'bar in positiona position which locks each fulcrum at the usual and proper distance from its blade. If it be desired to cut a smaller disk with the horizontal can-opener or to out less deeply through the can-top with the vertical can-opener, the tip of the locking-bar is raised slightly and the upper member adjusted upon the lower.

Thereafter the thumb of the operator will press the tip of the locking-bar as his hand holds the instrument, and either can-opener can be used in this adjusted position of its parts.

What is claimed as new is 1. The herein-described implement comprising one member with a can-opening tool at each end, a second member movable along the first and having a cooperating element at each end adjustable with reference to said can-opening tool, and a third member constituting a locking-bar to hold said first and second members at either extreme of their adjusted position.

2. The herein-described implement consisting of two members slidable upon each other and each having a slotted body, a blade at each end of one member, a fulcrum at each end of the other member cooperating with and adjustable with respect to its blade, and a locking-bar pivoted to one member and adapted to drop through its slot and engage the end of the slot in the other member when said members are at one extreme of their adjusted position.

3. In a can-opener, the combination with one member having a slot in its body, a blade at one end of this member, and inwardly-curled of this member adjacent said blade, and a lock- 1 ing-bar having an eye pivoted on said crossbar and of a size to strike one end of the slot in the blade member, the length of the bar being such that its opposite end will engage the other end of said slot, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a can-opener, the combination with one member havingachanneled body provided with a longitudinal slot, one end being bent downward into a blade; of a second member slidable in said channel and having a slotted body, a bar across said slot, a locking-bar having an eye embracing said cross-bar and projecting into the plane of the first member to prevent disconnection of the two members, one end of said second member being bentdownward and then outward and pointed, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my signature this the 19th day of April, A. D. 190 1.

MICHAEL HAYES JOHNSTON.

Witnesses:

L. O. CAMP, W. SUNDERLIN. 

